Overview

Students do not need to have a GCSE in Psychology to study this subject at A Level. Students will learn mandatory topics in Year 12 and then will be taught topics in Applied Psychology plus Issues and Debates in Year 13. The mandatory topics taught in Year 12 are Memory, Social Influence and Attachment as well as Psychopathology. The Applied topics that we currently deliver in Year 13 are Stress, Addiction and Cognition and Development. Approaches, Biopsychology and Research Methods are taught throughout both years. This course will develop theoretical knowledge of Psychology and allow students to understand the factors that cause human behaviour.

KS5 Intent Statement

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind
and behaviour. Alongside being presented with a range of theories we will equip
students with the skills to enable them to understand and evaluate
psychological research.

Lessons also reflect and return to the
underlying principle that psychology is a subject that has real world
application and is constantly evolving. This means students are regularly
exposed to psychology academics and practitioners, for example through TED
talks and news items, so that they understand that psychology is a dynamic,
current, and active area of academia with real relevance to our understanding
of the world and human behaviour. Students will develop a psychological
worldview – using appropriate language to understand themselves and the world
around them.

Students will be able to apply their
psychological insight in a wide range of occupations once they leave education;
the skills and knowledge students develop in psychology have value across many
work sectors including health care, business, education, law, social care, and
media. In lessons, students will be given the opportunity to develop their
practical skills, such as individual or group research projects, collaborative
learning, and presentations.

Students will be supported to be able to
succeed in their exams and assessments demonstrating the impact in terms of
mastery and application of the subject. We have a significant number of year 13
students applying to university who will be supported encouraged to explore the
wide range of options available. This shows that by taking Psychology at
A-Level, students recognise that Psychology has offered them a new language and
framework for understanding human behaviour.

Qualification Details

Exam Board: AQA
Qualification Title: Psychology
Qualification Specification Code: 7182
Qualification Webpage: Click here to visit the AQA webpage for the specification.

Entry Requirements

Standard Sixth Form entry requirements

What will I study in this qualification?

Possible Career Paths

Psychology and/or Sociology related degrees, Clinical Psychology, NHS, Human Resources, Banking and Finance, Teaching, Counselling, Psychotherapy and many more. Learners will develop transferable skills that are vital in Further and Higher Education as well as in the workplace. They will also be able to use the knowledge learnt in A Level Psychology to gain a wider understanding of others in the work place or in wider society.